There are many old bikers from the 60s who saw the arrival of the Japanese bikes as more of an invasion and an affront to the good old British way of making motorcycles, not realising at the time that these bikes were considerably more powerful, more reliable and took corners much better and therefore were much safer than the ‘good old British’ bikes that we knew and loved. Many of these sentimental bikers bought themselves an old, clapped-out relic from the past with a view to keeping the British biking legacy alive.
It was in 1970 that our chief engineer and my best mate from the WARTS walking group bought himself a 1939 James K8. Even though we in the WARTS call him The Chief Engineer and I describe him as my best mate, he is actually no more of a best mate than all of the other WARTS, but we had discovered quite a while ago that he, very unusually among us biking mates, never had a nickname. So in the hope of cheering him up a bit we gave him the honorary position of chief engineer, and I call him my best mate. However, to protect the guilty, and to make it easier for me not having to write all those long words, for the sake of this ramble we will name him Paul.
The James Cycle Co
Harry James started his cycle business in Birmingham in 1897, first producing penny farthings but moving on to manufacture many other popular bicycles, as many other bike manufacturers were doing at the time. The James Cycle Co produced its first motorcycle in 1902, one of the first in the world to do so, and named it The Famous James. The company was a prolific producer of motorcycles for a while, but in 1966 it was forced out of business by the Japanese competition.
Many old bikers started classic bike renovations at that time, with all good intentions. But these intentions soon fell by the wayside and their projects began to gather dust at the back of the shed, eventually to be given away or scrapped. But our best mate Paul was made of sterner stuff.
1939 James K8
The 1939 James K8 is a 247cc two stroke. And the example that Paul intended to save in 1970 was in a very sorry state: the engine was seized (would not turn) and several parts were missing. But it was cheap, which has always had its appeal for Paul.
Even though it languished in the back of his garage for two further years he didn’t give it away. Nor did he scrap it. No, he stripped it down to its component parts and carefully stored it in a tea chest. And there it stayed for the next 22 years. The chest travelled with him through ten house moves, from Honley to Meltham, then Oldham and then back to Honley, where it was removed from the chest.
In 1994 the renovations started in earnest and vigour.
Perhaps “earnest and vigour” is not the correct description for Paul. Some may describe him as careful and meticulous, others less kindly as slow. Nonetheless, the renovation work had started.
The following photos were taken about ten years after the vigorous work had begun. By this time, it was moving along at a pace, albeit Paul’s pace. By 2009 he had reconditioned the engine and it ran for the first time in over 60 years. This of course was a great milestone and encouraged Paul to press on to greater things and at greater speed. It was even in good enough condition to be run for a few yards on a quiet road in front of Paul’s house in 2011. There was no stopping him now.
Thrifty by nature
One of the items missing when he bought the bike was the knob at the end of the hand gear change. Thankfully, help was at hand in the shape of yours truly, as I’d done a bit of wood turning in my time. From a piece of jarrah hardwood I made a sphere knob with a metal screw insert to fit onto the gear change lever. I also fitted a 1939 threepenny bit – representing, of course, the year that the bike was manufactured (but also subtly represented Paul’s nature).
The thrift threepenny (or ‘threpny’) bit was circulated from 1936 up to the death of George VI, in 1952. The thrift is an evergreen herb, regarded as a symbol of hope and endurance. During the runup to and throughout the Second World War, the British government was trying to encourage hope and endurance, with thriftiness being an important part of the strategy.
Coincidentally, being thrifty has always been part of Paul’s strategy. Famously in fact, he and The Corporal in the WARTS group are in constant competition on who can spend less during the café stops on our walks.
Auctioning off The Famous James K8
The photo above is the virtually finished James K8. I think you’ll agree, Paul has done a magnificent job. Unfortunately, his health dictates that he is unable to ride the bike. He’s very reluctantly had to face up to reality and decide what to do with it. It’s now in imminent danger of once again gathering dust at the back of the garage. Therefore Paul, with a heavy heart, has put his beloved bike up for auction.
If you cannot resist owning a lovingly restored 1939 James K8, 247cc single cylinder, two stroke motorcycle then look no further than Mathewsons auctions, of Bangers and Cash fame, in Pickering. The auction is on Thursday 25 July and bidding on lot 395 starts at 10am. Good luck!
Update 26 July 2024: The Famous James sold at auction for £5,500. We wish the new owner many happy memories with their new purchase!
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